In 2010, during the World Cup quarterfinal in South Africa, Nishimura red-carded Brazilian Felipe Melo to help the Netherlands eliminate Brazil.

How much criticism would he have undergone if he hadn't given the penalty?

It's why it is so difficult for European teams to win in South America. Pressure isn't only on the players but on officials as well.

Were the Brazilians better than the Croatians? Probably.

But Croatia did not deserve to be done in by that kind of call. Nor did they merit the harsh 3-1 scoreline.

Croatia did Brazil's future opponents a favour. It exposed some of Brazil's vulnerabilities that will doom the home side if Brazil expects to run the table.

Christmas can't continue for a month for Luiz Felipe Scolari's boys.

"If that's a penalty, we don't need to play football anymore. Let's play basketball instead. It's a shame," said Croatian manager Niko Kovac.

He was calm and composed on the outside. But we can probably deduce that his insides must have been turning as badly as some of his defenders were when Neymar had the ball at his feet.

It's rare that any player or coach would take three minutes to answer one question in a press conference but that's how long Kovac took when asked about the penalty call.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "If we continue in this way, we will have a circus.

"Brazil doesn't need any help from the referees."

The Croatians knew they would be under enormous pressure from the moment they took the field. This was Brazil after all.

Regardless of what transpired outside the stadium with protests, organizational difficulties and criticism about Brazil's preparedness, the fans inside just wanted to see their beloved team play and play well. There was nothing understated inside the stadium, beginning with a massive roar for goalkeeper Julio Cesar when he came out to warm-up.

When the full team came out, the unfinished stadium shook to the cheers.

Croatia was not troubled by any of it. Kovac threw out a clear challenge to the Brazilians, fielding a starting lineup that was not going to sit back and absorb pressure. It was going to deliver pressure.

The plan worked immediately with Croatia exposing the Brazilian flanks.

Lazy defending and a low cross found a touch by Nikica Jelavic and pounded off Marcelo past Cesar.

It was an 11th-minute own goal and the Arena Corinthians was silenced. But it was the kind of goal that neutral observers love because it promises to open up a game.

The goal did more than just open up the game, it blew it open. Brazil launched attack after attack with fluidity and speed. It was beautiful stuff to watch.

With Neymar ghosting through the middle and Oscar floating in from the wing, Croatia had its hands full.

The crowd was at a full-throated roar throughout the first half. They were in love with their team and their soccer.

But as much as they wanted to fall at their feet in adulation, worshipping what they want to believe is the best soccer team in the world, there were more than a few moments when the crowd realized not everything was without worry.

They also recognized that but for a gift it might have been a far different result.